Jeff Hughes ((90 + 1 mins) mins)
npower League 1
, Feb 22, 2012
Ground: Meadow Lane
, Kickoff: 19:45 , Att 5,733
Team news
Curle considers changes Notts County's new manager Keith Curle may make changes to the side that lost to Hartlepool at the weekend in his first game in charge of the club.
Midfielder Alan Judge is doubtful after being withdrawn after an hour on Saturday. He has been carrying an injury for the last two games and is unlikely to be risked by Curle.
Skipper Neal Bishop also passed a late fitness test on Saturday, but played the full 90 minutes and is expected to be in contention.
Defender Alan Sheehan replaced Jon Harley at Hartlepool and Curle must decide who to start with at full-back, while strikers Jonathan Forte and Cristian Montano, winger Hamza Bencherif, plus defenders Krystian Pearce and Sam Sodje are all pushing for recalls.
Former manager Martin Allen was sacked after Saturday's defeat, which was the Magpies' first in five league matches.
Stevenage manager Gary Smith can add Chuks Aneke to his squad.
The midfielder, on loan from Arsenal, comes back into contention after being ineligible to face Tottenham.
Smith kept faith with the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday in their last league match for Sunday's goalless FA Cup draw with Spurs and has no new injury or suspension worries.
Forwards Don Cowan, Ben May and Craig Reid and midfielders Jennison Myrie-Williams, Stacy Long and defender Phil Edwards are all available.
Smith may consider making a few changes with tough league games against Charlton and Huddersfield looming, plus the fifth-round FA Cup replay with Tottenham.
Notts County vs Stevenage
Last modified 22:22 22/02/12
Hughes hands Curle winning start Keith Curle's Notts County managerial career got off to a winning start as Jeff Hughes' late strike was enough to beat FA Cup heroes Stevenage 1-0.
Both sides had early chances to score, but Alan Judge's shot crashed off the bar and Scott Laird's tame effort was smothered.
Darius Charles then stayed on his feet to battle past four defenders before putting a tempting ball across the area that no one in blue was able to convert.
Jeff Hughes was twice denied by Chris Day before Damion Stewart's air-kick gave Chris Beardsley a free run on goal, but the striker snatched his shot wide.
Lee Hughes had a shot saved and substitute Cristian Montano sent a spectacular volley wide, but Stevenage were gifted another chance when the Magpies' defence parted and Don Cowan ran through but fired wide.
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Substitution | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Stuart Nelson | ||||
| 20 | Kieron Freeman | ||||
| 5 | Krystian Pearce | ||||
| 35 | Damion Stewart | ||||
| 3 | Alan Sheehan | ||||
| 14 | Alan Judge(sub 90) |
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| 10 | Neal Bishop | ||||
| 31 | Gavin Mahon | ||||
| 11 | Jeff Hughes |
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| 9 | Lee Hughes | ||||
| 15 | Jonathan Forte(sub 45) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 21 | Liam Mitchell | ||||
| 6 | Hamza Bencherif | ||||
| 7 | Ishmel Demontagnac | ||||
| 24 | Liam Chilvers(sub 90) |
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| 30 | Cristian Montano(sub 45) |
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| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Substitution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Chris Day | ||||
| 25 | Ronnie Henry | ||||
| 5 | Jon Ashton | ||||
| 14 | Mark Roberts | ||||
| 3 | Scott Laird | ||||
| 2 | Lawrie Wilson | ||||
| 24 | Michael Bostwick | ||||
| 13 | Joel Byrom | ||||
| 15 | Luke Freeman(sub 70) |
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| 4 | Darius Charles(sub 55) |
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| 20 | Chris Beardsley(sub 86) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 1 | Alan Julian | ||||
| 6 | Phil Edwards(sub 86) |
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| 8 | Stacy Long(sub 70) |
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| 12 | Ben May | ||||
| 18 | Don Cowan(sub 55) |
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| Team | Notts County | Stevenage |
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